Behind the scenes of ‘The Crown’: A casting director’s journey
The enduring legacy of ‘The Crown’
Casting director Robert Sterne has been an integral part of Netflix’s acclaimed drama, The Crown, for all six seasons. Even though the show has concluded, the fascination with its characters continues. “I still get letters saying, ‘Please, can I be Meghan Markle?’” Sterne shares. “And I think, ‘Well, the moment’s gone.’”
The journey of The Crown began nine years ago for Sterne. “It started with us sitting around a table talking about it, and now here we are,” he recalls. Working closely with series creator Peter Morgan, they discussed the unique approach of recasting every two years. “It was better than using ever-increasing layers of makeup. It was, in many ways, an experiment.”
This experiment has certainly paid off. Over its six seasons, The Crown has won 21 Emmys and is nominated for an additional 19 this year, including six cast members and a nod for Sterne himself in the casting for a drama category.
The art of casting: Discovering new talent
Sterne, who has also cast for Game of Thrones and Chernobyl, has a knack for discovering new talent while also hiring established actors. When an actor steps into his audition room, whether on Zoom or in person, Sterne believes it’s his job to help them on their creative journey. “It’s their time, their space, and we need to make sure they give their best,” he notes.
Reflecting on the six seasons of The Crown, Sterne expresses a sense of great satisfaction. “From the start, the plan was to do six seasons, and we got to do that. We’ve found some amazing actors, bringing their A-game to it. It’s been exciting to make some discoveries along the way and see the younger actors flourish.”
The challenge of changing casts
When the show began, there was some apprehension about changing casts because the initial group of actors was so fantastic. “If you watch a show, you get invested in the people doing it,” Sterne acknowledges. However, he believes that changing the cast every two years has been an interesting way to tell the characters’ stories. “People do become different people at different stages of their lives.”
The mix of recognizable actors and new faces, such as Emma Corrin and Claire Foy, has been a key element of the show’s success. “It’s been about who out there would be the most exciting person to play a particular role,” Sterne explains. He had previously worked with Claire Foy on Wolf Hall, where she played Anne Boleyn. “Claire had the most difficult job of everybody on the whole project because she had to define the acting tone of the entire endeavor. What she managed to achieve was very special.”
Collaborating with a visionary creator
Working with Peter Morgan, the visionary creator of The Crown, has been a rewarding experience for Sterne. “The best thing for a casting person is to have good, clear lines of communication with writers and directors because you can better serve what they need. Peter is incredibly kind, articulate, eloquent, and rigorous in his thinking. He gives you a lot of information about the characters — how he sees them, what function they have in the story.”
The toughest roles to cast
When asked about the hardest role to cast in Seasons 5 or 6, Sterne finds it difficult to pinpoint one. “Sometimes you think a role will be straightforward, and it’s not. We struggled to find Andrew Morton, Diana’s biographer, but eventually found Andrew Steele in Northern Ireland, and he was amazing. Finding unknown teenagers, like William, Kate, and Harry, is always a challenge.”
Discovering the new generation of royals
The search for actors to play the new generation of royals, including William, Harry, and Kate Middleton, was extensive. “We did a wide search, looking at acting agencies, drama groups around the country, and even a social media search. Meg Bellamy, who was cast as Kate, was working at Legoland in Windsor when she saw the posting for it. We were determined to keep it completely open and see everyone.”
Tips for aspiring actors
For actors sending in audition tapes, Sterne advises keeping it simple. “We want to be able to see and hear you without any distractions in the background. You’re not looking for a finished product on a tape; you’re looking for a spark of something, a connection.”
In the audition room, Sterne aims to create an environment where actors feel comfortable enough to be creative and start inhabiting the characters. “Especially for The Crown, when you’re portraying these very famous people, you want to find out what works for a person. Go with your instinct and don’t do it like you think we’re wanting or expecting it to be.”
Remembering talent for future roles
Sterne often remembers actors for future roles, even if they don’t get cast immediately. “That happened a lot on The Crown. Elizabeth Debicki, who ended up playing Princess Diana, came in for a different part early on. It was very clear to all of us in the room, ‘We’ve got to wait because there is something coming down the road.’ And that worked out well.”
For more insights into the world of The Crown, check out the trailer.
This article aims to provide a deeper understanding of the casting process behind The Crown, offering personal reflections and insights for cinema and TV series enthusiasts.